Currently, I am loving this book by Mark Haddon, and not just because the upside-down image of a dog on the cover is supposed to indicate that it is dead. Christopher, the narrator, is a misfit- one of those 15 year olds that no teacher, parent, or even peer knows what to do with. And yet, his father, who figures greatly in the book as well, seems to be able to figure out how to manage and even love his difficult son. I cannot imagine writing a book with a main character as difficult as Christopher- but he is also charming, logical, and kind in his own way. Oh, by the way, Christopher is autistic, and I appreciated that the book didn't "sugarcoat" the idea that people with disabilities still deserve to be part of society. Seeing Christopher's neighbors, school staff and faculty, and his dad react to and deal with his disorder is what I think the heart of this book. Also, seeing Christopher's thoughts about THEM gives us a new perspective on why developing relationships and fostering understanding can improve the quality of life for all involved. The mystery is only secondary, it is the revelations of the thoughts and feelings of a unique, teenaged narrator that make this book enjoyable. One of the most endearing traits of Christopher is his love of animals, which is another thing that makes him so relatable and not just a caricature of someone who has a disorder. Even as a teacher, I need to be reminded of how different- how much an individual- each student is and try to respect them for both their strengths and their weaknesses. I think Christopher reminds me of this.
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| spider monkey- an animal I think resembles Christopher |
1 comment:
I like the picture of the monkey.
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